Louvered ceiling construction



1962 A. E. ZINGONE 3,050,162

LOUVERED CEILING CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 16, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR.

AA/r/m/vr A. Z/A/60A/E T ORNEYS Aug. 21, 1962 A. E. ZINGONE LOUVERED CEILING CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16. 1960 INVENTOR.

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lig ed rates Father 3,059,162 LGUVERED CElTLlNG CQNSTRUCTEON Anthony E. Zingone, f/l'assapequa, N.Y., assignor to Neo- Ray Products, Inc, New York, NY a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 16, 1950, Ser. No. 69,729 3 Claims. 11!. 18982) This invention relates to a louvered ceiling construction and to a louver unit therefor.

Louvered ceilings of general construction include a frame support consisting of a plurality of parallel frame members arranged in substantially equally spaced relation on which louver units are supported. In such louvered ceilings the frame members are relatively wide so as to obstruct the flow of light from an overhead source, and to cast a shadow therebelow. Furthermore, the arrangement of the supporting frame members and the louvers in such ceiling construction does not present a uniform louvered pattern throughout the extent of the ceiling, and the light passing therethrough from an overhead source is not uniform below the ceiling construction. In order to avoid these objections, the present invention is directed to a louvered ceiling construction which presents an unbroken louvered pattern throughout the extent thereof so that the light passing therethrough from an overhead source is uniform below the ceiling construction.

Another'object of the invention is to provide a louver unit which is constructed and arranged to engage through supporting frame members whereby the louver units and the frame members provide a continuous unbroken louvered ceiling construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a louvered ceiling of cellular formation consisting of rows of intersecting plates which are arranged with alternate plates in one of the rows extending outwardly beyond the plates therebetween a distance equal to a full cell length on opposite sides of the louver unit, and with alternate plates in the other row extending outwardly beyond the plates therebetween a distance equal to a two cell length on the other opposite sides of said louver unit, and the plates in said latter row being notched substantially medial of said extensions to interfit with the supporting frame members.

Still another object of the invention is to provide louver units which may be prefabricated and readily interfitted with the supporting frame members for facilitating the erection thereof and which may be readily removed for gaining access to the space thereabove and for cleaning the units.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, reference is now made to the following specifications and accompanying drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a louver unit 0011* structed in accordance with the invention.

PEG. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a similar view taken approximately on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of typical interfitting louver units and frame member of a ceiling construction embodying the invention with the parts shown in separated juxta-position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 4 in assembled relation.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view approximately taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan View of a louver unit con structed in accordance with the invention and illustrating a modified form thereof.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken approximately on line $-8 of FIG. 7 and showing the unit in supported engagement with the web of a supporting frame at each side.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a louver unit constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating still another form of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 1010 of FIG. 9 and showing the unit in supported engagement with the web of a supporting frame at each side.

Referring to the drawings, the ceiling construction is made up of any desired number of louver units 10, which are of any desired length and width and are supported by a frame construction consisting of parallel frame mem bers 11. The frame members 11 extend from one side to the other of the area of the ceiling construction with a plurality of louver units supported by the frame members and with a plurality of the louver units extending longitudinally and transversely thereof. Alternate plates of the louver units project through slots in the frame members providing means by which the frame members form outer plates of the louver units.

The louver units 111 are constructed and arranged so that the same may be prefabricated in order to facilitate the implacement thereof, and each unit includes a row of parallel plates 12 which intersect with a row of parallel plates 13 to form a plurality of rows of cells 14 opening through the top and bottom of the unit; The row of plates 12 are connected withthe row of plates 13 in any desired manner and as illustrated each of the plates 12 is formed with slots 15 which are equally spaced longitudinally thereof and which open through the upper edge thereof and extend downwardly in parallel equally spaced relation to the transverse center of said plate. Each of the plates 13 is provided with slots 16 which are equally spaced longitudinally thereof and which open through the lower edge thereof and extend upwardly in parallel equally spaced relation to the transverse center of said plate. The plates 12 and 13 are interfitted in right angular relation to dispose the slots 15 in the plates 12 in engagement with the portions of the plates 13 above the slots 16 therein, and with the slots 16 in the plates 13 in engagement with the portions of the plates 12 below slots 15 therein. Alternate plates 12 at one side of each louver unit extend outwardly beyond the outermost plate 13 at said side of the louver unit, a distance equal toa full cell in length, while the plates 12 therebetween extend outwardly at the other side of the louver unit beyond the outermost plate 13 at said side thereof a similar distance. Also, alternate plates 13 at one side of the louver unit extend outwardly beyond the outermost plate 12 on said side of the louver unit, a distance equal to two full cells in length, while the plates 13 therebetween extend outwardly at the other side of said louver unit beyond the outermost plate 12 at said side, a similar distance that is equal to a two full cell in length. The extensions of the plates 13 are notched as at 17 inwardly from the lower edges thereof substantially medial of the length of the extensions for engagement with frame members 11 of the supporting frame construction.

Each of the frame members 11 include a web 18 which may be made up of a plurality of plates disposed in end to end relation. Secured to the web 18, along its upper edge by any desired means such as rivets, bolts and the like are angle bars 19 which are arranged with adjacent angle bars disposed in overlapping relation, one being secured to one side face of the web and the adjacent angle bar being secured to the opposite face of the web. Each frame members 11 extend parallel with plates 12 of the louver units and has narrow slots 26 formed therein in longitudinally spaced relation a distance apart equivalent to a full cell in length. The slots 20 are of a length slightly longer than the height of the plates 13 and with the lower ends of the slots spaced from the lower edges of the web a distance equal to the length of the slot 17 in the plates 13. This provides means by which alternate plates 13 on one side of the frame structure are adapted to be disposed in projecting relation through alternate slots 20 in the web and with the slot 17 in the projecting end of said plates interfitted with the portions of the web below the slots 29 therein whereby the lower edges of the plates 13 and the lower edge of the web are substantially flush. Similarly the plates 13 of the louver unit on the other side of the frame member 11 are adapted to be disposed in supported engagement in the slots 29 therebetween. Thus, the louver units 10 fragmentarily illustrated in separated relation in FIG. 4 of the drawings are adapted to be disposed in supported engagement on the frame member 11 as illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

This provides a continuous row of louver cells at each side of the frame member formed by the projecting ends of the louver units and the web of the frame member. It will be understood, also, that the end edges of the plates 12 of adjacent louver units abut against the adjacent outermost plates 13 thereof respectively. Constructed in this manner, this provides a louvered ceiling formation in which a plurality of louver units extend in continuous unbroken relation longitudinally of the frame members 11 and transversely thereof whereby as viewed from below the ceiling construction presents an unbroken l0uvered pattern throughout the extent thereof and light rays passing therethrough from an overhead source will illuminate the area equally throughout the extent of the louvered ceiling construction.

Instead of the louver unit in which alternate plates 12 extend outwardly a full cells length beyond the plates 12 therebetween at opposite sides of the louver unit and in which alternate plates 13 extend outwardly beyond the plates 13 therebetween a distance equal to two full cells in length at opposite sides of the louver unit, the louver unit may be so constructed that groups of plates on each side extend outwardly beyond groups of plates therebetween. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings the louver unit 30 consists of a row of parallel plates 31 which intersect with a row of parallel plates 32 to thereby form a plurality of rows of cells 33 when open through the top and bottom of the unit. The row of plates 31 are interconnected with the row of plates 32 such as by interengaging slots as in the louver unit 10. Each alternate pair of adjacent plates 31 extend outwardly beyond the next pair of plates 31 a distance equal to a full cell in length at opposite sides of the louver unit and each alternate pair of adjacent plates 32 extend outwardly beyond the next pair of plates 32 a distance equal to a two full cells in length at opposite sides of the louver unit.

It will be understood that the outwardly extending plates 31 on one side alternate with the outwardly extending plates 31 on the. opposite side of the unit, and the outwardly extending plates 32 on one side alternate with the outwardly extending plates 32 on the opposite side of the unit, and the outwardly extending plates 32 are provided with slots 34 substantially medially of the extended portions thereof similar to the slots 17 in the louver unit 10. This provides means by which a row of louver units 30 may be disposed in contiguous relation with the projecting end of the pairs of adjacent plates 31 of one louver unit extending between the projecting ends of the pairs of adjacent plates 31 of the adjacent louver unit so as to form a row of cells. Similarly rows of louver units 30 may be disposed on each side of a web 18 of a frame member 11 with the projecting ends of the pairs of plates 32 of adjacent louver units extending through the slots in the web and interfitted with the slots 34 in supported relation on the frame members 11.

In the form of the invention shownin FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings the louver unit 4|) similarly consists of a row of parallel plates 41 which intersect with a row of parallel plates 42 to thereby form a plurality of row of cells 43 which open through the top and bottom of the unit as in the previous form of the invention. The rows of plates 41 and 42 are interconnected as in the previous forms. In this form of the invention each alternate group of three adjacent plates 41 extend outwardly beyond the next group of three plates 41 a distance equal to a full cell in length. This takes place at opposite sides of the louver unit with the outwardly extending groups of plates on one side of the louver unit alternating the out wardly extending groups of plates on the opposite side. Similarly each alternate group of three adjacent plates 42 extend outwardly beyond the next three plates 42 a distance equal to two full cells in length, and this takes place on opposite sides of the louver unit with the outwardly extending groups of plates 42 on one side alternating with the outwardly extending group of plates 42 on the opposite side. The plates 42 are slotted as at 43 to interfit with the slots 20 in the web 18 at each side of the louver unit for supporting the louver unit thereon. This provides means by which parallel rows of louver units 40 may be arranged in contiguous relation longitudinally and transversely of the webs of the supporting frame 11 so as to present an unbroken louvered panel throughout the entire area of the several louver units and the webs of the supporting frame members 11.

The supporting frame members 11 have openings 45 spaced longitudinally thereof through the angle bars 19 for receiving hangers 46 afiixed at their upper ends (not shown) to the frame work of the ceiling for supporting the frame member 11 in spaced relation therebelow. Means is also provided for supporting light (not shown) above the louvered ceiling construction for illuminating the area of the room therebelow.

While the preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the same is not so limited but shall cover and include any and all modifications of the invention which fall within the purview thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a louvered ceiling construction, a plurality of parallel rows of louver units arranged with the louver units in each row disposed in contiguous planar relation, each of said louver units consisting of first and second rows of intersecting plates providing rows of cells opening through the top and bottom of the unit, alternate plates in said second row of plates extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween a distance equal to two cells in length with said outwardly extending portions of the plates at one side of the louver unit alternating with the outwardly extending portions of the plates at the other side thereof, a frame support arranged between each adjacent rows of louver units and including a web arranged with its lower edge disposed substantially flush with the lower edges of the plates of the louver units and extending parallel with said first row of plates thereof, and the outwardly extending portions of said second row of plates of the louver units and the Webs of the frame support between each adjacent rows of louver units having interengaging slotted portions supporting the row of louver units therebetween with the outwardly extending portions of said second row of plates projecting through the webs a full cell in length thereby providing a row of cells on each side of each of said webs respectively and between the same and the outermost plates of said first row of plates of the louver units.

2. In a louvered ceiling construction, a plurality of parallel rows of louver units arranged with the louver units in each row disposed in contiguous planar relation, each of said louver units consisting of first and second rows of intersecting plates providing rows of cells openings through the top and bottom of the unit, alternate plates in said first row of plates extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween a distance equal toa full cell in length with the outwardly extending portions of the plates at one side of the louver unit alternating with the outwardly extending portions of the plates at the opposite side thereof, alternate plates in said second row of plates extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween a distance equal to two cells in length and with said outwardly extending portions of the plates at one side of the louver unit alternating with the outwardly extending portions of the plates, at the opposite side thereof, a frame support disposed between each adjacent rows of louver units and including a web arranged with its lower edge disposed substantially flush with the lower edges of the plates of the louver units and extending parallel with said first row of plates thereof, and the outwardly extending portions of said second rows of plates of the louver units and the web of the frame support between each adjacent rows of louver units having interengaging slotted portions supporting the row of louver units with the outwardly extending portions of said second row of plates projecting through the webs a full cell in length and the outwardly extending portions of the plates of said first row of each of the louver units projecting medially between the outwardly extending portions of the plates of said first row of adjacent louver units whereby as viewed from below the several louver units and the webs form an unbroken louvered pattern with the cells substantially equally spaced apart and of substantially uniform formation throughout the extent of the ceiling construction.

3. In a louvered ceiling construction, a plurality of parallel rows of louver units arranged with the louver units in each row disposed in contiguous planar relation, each of said louver units consisting of first and second rows of intersecting plates providing rows of cells opening through the top and bottom of the unit, certain of the plates in said first row of plates at intervals along one side of the louver unit extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween in said row of plates and certain of the plates in said first row of plates at intervals along the opposite side of said louver unit extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween in said first row of plates, and certain of the plates in said second row of plates at intervals along another side of said louver unit extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween in said second row of plates and certain of the plates in said second row of plates along the side of said louver unit opposite said another side extending outwardly at their ends beyond the plates therebetween in said row of plates, a frame support disposed between each adjacent rows of louver units and including a web extending parallel with said first row of plates, the outwardly extending portions of said second row of plates of the louver units and the web of the frame support between each adjacent rows of louver units having interengaging slotted portions supporting the rows of louver units on the webs with said outwardly extending portions projecting partially through the webs, and the outwardly extending portions of the plates of said first row of plates of each of the louver units projecting between the outwardly portions of the plates of said first row of plates of adjacent louver units whereby as viewed from below the several louver units and the webs form an unbroken louver pattern with the cells substantially equally spaced apart and of substantially uniform formation throughout the extent of the ceiling construction.

References Qitetl in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,873,828 Zitomer Feb. 17, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 834,836 Germany Mar. 24, 1952 861,088 Germany Dec. 29, 1952 

